At the close of the eighteenth century, it appeared that the Congregational churches of Massachusetts numbered three hundred and forty-four, fifteen of which had been formed between 17901800; while of all other denominations there were not half that number, namely: of Baptists, ninety-three churches; of Methodists, twentynine—all of which had sprung up during the last ten years of the century;* of Episcopalians, fourteen; of Quakers, eight; of Universalists, four; of Presbyterians, two; and of Roman Catholics, one. These last years of the century, though marked by the steady if not rapid growth of Unitarianism in Massachusetts, furnish proof of the relig ious activity of the Orthodox. In 1798 the first home missionary society was formed, in the county of Berkshire, Massachusetts, and the contiguous county of Columbia, New York; and in 1799 the "Massachusetts Missionary Society was formed, one year after the formal organization of the "Missionary Society of Connecticut;" and it was during these ten years that powerful revivals of religion visited various parts of the country, including portions of Massachusetts, and extending into the Middle and Southern States,t *Clark, 226. The first Methodist meeting-house in Boston was opened by a Methodist missionary in 1796. Holmes, 11, 405. The Methodists first appeared in Massachusetts in 1790. A more particular notice of these revivals, with others which have blessed this country, will be found in another chapter of this work. CHAP. XV.] GIFTS OF DIVINE GRACE. 603 adding to the rich blessings of civil freedom-the fruit of the Revolutionary struggle the richer and freer gifts of Divine grace, whereby thousands were made free with the liberty wherewith Christ makes free; and at the same time verifying the consoling promise that, "when the enemy cometh in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." CHAPTER XVI. UNITARIAN DEVELOPMENTS, 1800-1815- THE CONTROVERSY, 1815-1825. THE first five-and-twenty years of the present century were eventful years in the history of Congregationalism. It was during these years that the great Unitarian schism in these churches was fully developed. The doctrine, as we have seen, had been slowly and cautiously developing itself in Massachusetts during more than half the preceding century; and the prediction had been made, that the time might come when "churches would be gathered out of churches" in New England. On the 1st of October, 1801, this prophecy was fulfilled; and, noticeably enough, in Old Plymouth, and in the first Congregational church in America. This old church had lived on for a century and three quarters, under an Orthodox and evangelical ministry, till 1799-1800; when, on the death of the Rev. Chandler Robbins, by a very small majority, but with the overwhelming assistance of the society, it called to the pastorate the Rev. James Kendall,* an estimable gentleman, According to the records of the church, there were twentythree votes for Mr. Kendall, and fifteen against him; and in the society meeting, there were two hundred and fifty-three votes for him, and only fifteen against him.- Dr. Kendall's Centennial Sermon, note A. CHAP. XVI.] CHURCH OF THE PILGRIMAGE. 605 but neither Orthodox nor evangelical in sentiment, who proved to be, what at the time of his ordination he was supposed to be, an Unitarian. Mr. Kendall was ordained January 1st, 1800; and after hearing him for several months, fiftytwo members of his church-eighteen males and thirty-four females, just one member less than half of the entire membership of the church-separated themselves from the old church and were organized into the "Third Church in Plymouth," afterward called the "Church of the Pilgrimage;" assigning as a reason for this important step, that they "could not longer conscientiously unite in public worship with those from whom they had separated."* The defection of this ancient church and society from sound doctrine was not a sudden and recent event. The members had been gradually declining from the faith and practice of the fathers for more than half a century. As far back as the time of the Great Awakening in * Manual of the Church of the Pilgrimage, Plymouth, Massachusetts, p. 20. I call this the first fulfillment of Cotton Mather's prophecy — that the time would come when churches would be gathered out of churches in New England. It was not, however, the first parish separation on account of doctrine; for, in 1792, the entire church, lacking four members, in Taunton, Massachusetts, separated itself from the old parish, on account of the opposition of the controlling men in the society "to some of the distinguishing doctrines of the gospel contained in the Westminster Confession of Faith." 1740, though the pastor and a majority of the church sympathized with it, there was developed among them so much hostility to it, that a considerable body of the people, under the advice and direction of Dr. Chauncey, the arch-enemy of this revival, seceded and formed a second church. But, unfortunately, this church and society, after about thirty years, returned to the old church, and reinforced the Arminianism and Socinianism and whatever of anti-evangelical sentiment there was in the old body, and helped to make it what it ultimately became under Dr. Kendall's ministry-an openly Unitarian body.* Thus was effected this great revolution in John Robinson's church; and thus were the evangelical members compelled to abandon their place of worship, relinquish all interest in the furniture of the church, and whatever of funds there may have been for the benefit of the church, or else submit to hear what they believed to be erroneous teachings, and to countenance measures hostile to the highest spiritual interests of the church and society. It is satisfactory to know, however, that the self-denying action of these brethren and sisters, in coming out from the old body, and separating themselves to the work of the Lord, has evidently met the Divine approval. Beginning with fiftytwo members, this Church of the Pilgrimage has *See Clark, 151, 161 and 232–35. |